I am too distraut right now to tell the story. <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

NO it is not about a wounded deer either.

Brian

Must have went to try out a new BowTech and they were sold out.

when you get ready to talk - we're ready to listen Jim

You shot the new world record buck then it got hit by a passing semi?

Paul Ruhe J.R.

Ok here is my story. I was out today early before 1pm and as I was getting set up and pulling my bow up a doe sees me a runs about 10 yards and then she looses me and a total of 3 does pass within 15 yards. So later in the evening at 4:10 pm I hear a crack snap behind me so I look and see a deer coming from about 35 yards. I notice he is a real nice buck. So I am standing and ready for him to pass through my shooting areas at about 15 yards and he changes direction and comes straight at me. He stops at about 7 yards and freshens up a scrape that I have been trying to keep active and does his thing there and then rubs his antlers on the licking branch and all of this is while i am watching him from 7 yards. I didn't have a shot at the scrape do to some branches but all he has to do is move right or left about 3 years and that will be that. As he is rubing his antlers on the licking branch He kind of gave me a once over but not really paying any attention of me up the tree. SO he starts to move off and Now I am saying here is my chance so I begin to draw my bow and before I can get the bow to the nice valley he looks at me and I freeze solid. My bow is now only partally drawn and I am holding all the weight of it and can't let down. Thankfully he looks the other way so I can let down after about 12 seconds as my arms were dead from holding all the 70 lb weight. So now he decides to move off again and I get to full draw and he is walking straight away from me. I am saying NO way NOT possible. He just needs to make a right or left about 1 yard and its all over. Well he gets to the pines and decides to make a left and I am ready now and he takes that left step and Now YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME a tree is between the vitals and me. NO WAY this is happening. I see his shoulders and have my pin on them and say please just 6 more inches and he is mine. Well now I am going to be sick. He just decides to turn straight away again from me and not go left. He just disappears from my life forever. I could of just puked


I could of taken some shots at him but straight aways is not a perferred shot as is going through the shoulders either. This is only my second year bowhunting but have learned a lot from you guys in this short amount of time on this board. I am still sick over this but you know what would of made me more sick is if I had taken a marginal shot and lost a beautiful buck do to me not doing what is right.

He was NO, IS still a beautiful 8 pointer that I just hope to someday get another crack at.

Quick question. Even though it is the rut now will he be miles away by tomorrow or will he be around the area? He did come straight for the scrape and freshended it up then went on his way. Just wondering if he might still be around in the days to come.

Brian

If he finds a hot doe in the area,he'll be there. otherwise it might be awhile. Smart decision you made not risking a bad shot! You make us proud!!

If I ain't huntin',I'm trappin',If I ain't trappin',I'm fishin'
If I ain't fishin',I'm wishin'!

i had the same problem this morning as well supermag i was scanning my area not even for a minute and i had a nice 8 pointer come through and he had already passed my lanes and had no shot i wanted to cry and got out of the woods an unhappy camper

You did good 445. Good judgement not taking a marginal shot like that. At least you didnt spook him. With that fresh scrape and all the does around he might be back. I would hunt the same place. Just hope he doesnt get on the trail of a hot doe and end up far far away. Good luck.

Dont pick out the negatives from your experience! I see a couple HUGE positives!
1. You showed great restraint and judgement!
2. He never winded you so your doing something right!
Last but deffinately not least , he's still alive and perfectly healthy due to your restraint!
He'll be back!

I can tell you from experience that the hurt you feel now would be ten fold had you took a poor percentage shot and wounded him.



Edited by - bowfanatic on 11/15/2002 20:48:38

Man, you got love this bowhunting eh? You did good 445. He might be back, might not, you never know for sure. Perhaps a bigger one will come by tomorrow. You might want to set out a scent canister or two in a spot where you want him to turn. If he walks straight away again, have a scent bomb on the up wind side and perhaps he'll turn to take a better wiff. Or give him a grunt while at full draw and he might turn for ya. Good luck and hey, HAVE FUN.